Men's Ice Hockey

Hockey Falls Short at Salem State, 4-2

SALEM, MA- Host Salem State got an empty net goal with 18 seconds left and held off a late charge by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's hockey team, 4-2, in a Massachusetts College Athletic Conference game at the Rockett Arena Saturday.

The Corsairs, who got a goal from freshman forward Phil Bronner (Wilbraham, MA/Springfield Jr. Falcons) at 14:56 to cut their deficit to a single goal, were unable to get the tying goal past SSC goaltender Sam Avoine. Mike Genovese scored the clinching goal for the Vikings when he blocked a shot and scored unassisted with 18 seconds remaining in the game.

Sophomore forward Rob Dudley (Douglas, MA/Middlesex School) gave UMass Dartmouth a 1-0 lead when he scored a power play goal at 14:03 of the first period. Chad Johnson tied it for the Vikings two and a half minutes later. Dan Smolinsky's goal just over a minute into the second period gave Salem State a 2-1 lead, snd Nick Lampson scored a power play goal at 4:14 of the third period to give the Vikings a 3-1 advantage.

"It was a good back and forth game, each team had a power play goal, and Salem State had a little bit of an edge in territorial play," said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach John Rolli. "Unfortunately, it was a game that has been typical for us this season."

Salem State out shot UMass Dartmouth, 39-20. Senior goaltender Jon Dryjowicz-Burek (Ludlow, MA/Springfield Jr. Falcons) made 36 saves for UMass Dartmouth, while Avoine made 18 for SSC.
The Corsairs converted five of six power play opportunities, while the Vikings converted one of six chances.

UMD dropped to 7-11-1 and 2-9-1 in the MASCAC with the defeat, while Salem State improved to 8-7-3 and 7-2-3 with the victory. The Corsairs will return to action when they host Westfield State Thursday evening.